Dry cell



C. HAMBUECHEN.

DRY CELL.

' APPLlCATION FILED JUNE 15. 1918.

Patented Apr. 19 1921,

INVENTOR. EARL HAMB LIE CHEN BY ATTORNEY NATIGHAL COMPANY, ll lfl, ail.CGBPORATIUN 013 NEW 'YQRK.

new cash.

Application filed June 15,

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, (JAnL HAMBIJEGHEN a citizen of the United States,residing at Belleville in the county of St. Clair and State of Illinois,have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Dry Cells, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to electric batteries of the dry cell type andmore particularly to means for spacing the negative from the positiveelement.

The invention is applicable to any size of dry cell, but it will bedescribed with particular reference to so-called miniature cells such asare used in flashlights.

' in making miniature cells it is usual to mold a mix of pulverulentcarbon and manganese peroxid depolarizer around a central carbon rod,and then to wrap cheese-cloth or equivalent material around the moldedcartridge to prevent the mix from reaching the zinc can which containsthe molded element. After the element is assembled in the zinc can,which is the positive electrode, it is usual to pour flour paste in theannular space between the two. My invention is an improvement over priorcells by virtue of the fact that the cheese-cloth wrapping is entirelydispensed with, as is described in the appended specification, referencebeing bad to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a section of a miniature type of dry cell showing myimprovement.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the negative cartridge of the cell.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom ca of the negative element.

15 ig. i is a perspective view of the negative element.

Referring to the drawings, the negative element is formed by molding adepolarizing mix of pulverulent carbon and manganese peroxid 1 around acentral carbon electrode 2 preferably in cylindrical form as shown inFig. 2. After the cartridge is molded a paper cap 3 is formed, ofsuthcient diameter to snugly fit over the lower end of the cartridge,and a similar cap e l-having a central hole 5 is fitted over the top.

The cartridge is next placed in the zinc can electrode 6, with the cap 3resting on the bottom of the can or on a cardboard washer 7 which may beparaiiined. Flour paste is then poured into the can, The negative eleofthe top cap Specification of Letters lPatent.

a pitch or analogous seal 12 4 Patented Apr. 119 i921. 1918. serial am.aware;

ment shown can until it rests on the paraifined washer. This actionforces the paste up around the cartridgeto partially till the annularspace between the cartridge and zinc. Additional flour paste 8 is thenpoured into the annular space until it is substantially filled. A cardboard or chipboard disk 11 is placed in the top or the can with a smallair space 9 under neath, and the cell is completed by pouring on top ofthe disk 11.' The positive and negative conned tors l3 and 1%respectively may be connected up in any desired way to complete thebattery of cells which forms no part of this invention.

it has been found that a dry cell made in this way without a lininggives very satisfactory service and practical tests have shown that noevil effects are experienced by dispensing with the cheese-clothwrapping or other lining. The corners of the ca tridge or molded mass ofpulverous material, if unprotected, would be liable to loosen fromhandling, or crumble under the soften ing action of the paste in thecell, and particles might disengage and ultimately reach the Zincelectrode. This of course would cause local action, and to prevent theloosening of the particles at the edge 1 I protect the same by means ofthe paper caps previously described. l have found that when the edgesare protected in this way there is no danger of particles of the mixreaching the nine. The flanges on the cap also have the function ofpreventing the cartridge from coming in contact with the zinc during themanufacture of a cell before the top washer and seal are applied torigidly hold the upper end in place. These flanges are short and do notincrease the resistance of the cell'to any extent.

llt will be seen that by means of my improvement the manufacturing costwill be reduced. as the wrapping of cheesecloth around the cartridge isentirely eliminated, and the electrical action or the cell is iinprovedon account oi? absence of the cheese-cloth which merely occupies spaceand can have no electrochemical effect in battery. Furthermore, theabsence of the cheese-cloth tends to reduce slightly the re sistance ofthe battery.

As at-variation in the described steps of manufacture, the cap may beplaced the in Fig. 2 is next placed into the lllli bottom of thecartridge mold and the cartridige then molded directly into the cap.

I aving described my invention, what ,I claim is 1. In (1 cells, acontainer electrode, an unwrappe negative element therein, andprotecting caps fitting over each end of the element to reventparticlesof said elements becoming 'sengaged and to space said element from thecontainer electrode.

2. In (1 cells, a container electrode, an unwrappe negative elementtherein, protecting caps fitting over each end of the element to preventdisengagement of particles of the element and to space the same from thecontainer electrode, and flour and water paste entirely filling theannular space between the container electrode and said element. I

3. In dry cells, a container electrode, an unwrapped depolarizingcartridge therein, non-conducting caps fitting over each end of'theelement to. revent the disengagement of particles therein and to spacethe same from the container electrode, and flour paste entirely fillingthe annular space between the container electrode and said element.

4. A dry cell com rising, in combination,

a container electro e, an electrode therein comprlsing an unwrappedmolded mass,

means at the opposite ends of said mass for protecting the same againstdislodgmentof particles thereof, and flour paste or the like betweensaid electrodes and contacting directly with the unwrapped or baresurface of said mass between such protecting means.

5. A dry cell comprising, in combination, a container electrode, anelectrode therein comprising an unwrapped molded mass, caps fitting overthe opposite ends of said mass and protecting the same againstdislodgment of particles thereof and against contact thereof with saidcontainer electrode,

and flour paste or the like between said electrodes andcontactingdirectly with the unwrapped surface between ,the caps on suchinner electrode. I

4 6. A dry cell comprising, in combination, av positive containerelectrode, a negative electrode therein comprising a substantiallycentral carbon rod, a substantiallycylindncal depolarizing mass ofpulverous material disposed around a portion of said'rod, 'nonconductingflanged caps closely fitting the opposite ends of said mass androtecting said mass against dislodgment 0 particles thereof and againstcontact thereof with.

said container electrode, and flour paste between said sitive'andnegative electrodes and contacting directly with the unwrapped or bareouter surface of said mass between the flanges of said caps thereon.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

CARL HAMBUECHEN.

